Forget the NCAA basketball tournament -- especially now that George Mason is toast.

The Daily Kos is holding a Vice Presidential tournament for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, and the field of 45 candidates includes Sen. Jim Webb, and Gov. Tim Kaine.

Mr. Webb and Mr. Kaine, Mr. Obama's national co-chair, are consistently named as possible running mates for the Democratic frontrunner.

The poll does not include Mark R. Warner, the popular former governor running for U.S. Senate, despite lingering speculation along these lines that Mr. Warner would be a good pick.

Mr. Webb, heading into round two, faces DNC chairman Howard Dean.

He stomped Sen. Patty Murray of Washington in round one by a 312 to 73 vote, and Mr. Kaine defeated former Sen. Max Cleland by a 162 to 66 vote margin.

The poll speaks to the lingering belief that Mr. Webb and Mr. Kaine could be major players on the national scene by the time the Democratic national convention rolls around in August.

-- Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times